Swash plate



P. O. ECKELS Sept. 13, 1932.

SWASH PLATE Filed Oct. 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l P. O. ECKELS SWASH PLATESept. 13; 1932-.

Filed Oct. 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. O. ECKELS SWASH PLATE Sept. 13,1932.

Filed 001;. l, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Pa)? 0 66%6Z5,

P. O. ECKELS SWASH PLATE Sept. 13, 1932.

Filed Oct. 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gnwntoz Patented Sept. 13, 1932raai' onczrnts, or cnsvELAnn, OHIO AssIGnoR. TO THE EQKELS nneinnnamecon.-

r IORA'IION, OFCLEVELANID, OHIO i i WA H. IQ

application .fii afociober 1, 1931. Serial 566,328.

This invention relates to pumps for pump- .mg or compressing fluids andhas special reference to improvements in thetype of pump or compressorshownand described in my copending application for patent filed May 31,1930,.andbearing Serial Number 458,577.

More particularly the present inventionrelates to improvements in' theswash plate shown in said prior application. r

In the construction as d'sclosedin said prior application the sleevecarrying the swash plate is held concentrically of the driving shaft byan anti-friction bearing sur-. .15 rounding the shaft Within the sleeve.1 For practical reasons it is necessary to use standard sizes of ballbearings but, if such standa-rd sized bearings are used, it becomesimpossible fromthe standpoint of proper engineeriug construction to useadrivingshaft above a certain'maximum diameter. Because of this I ilimitation of the size ofthe shaft in relation to the sleeve diameter itis necessary, in the former construction, to veryconsiderably enlargethe overall dimensions of the machine for any increase in shaft sizemade necessary in the construction of machines of larger capacities. Forinstance, if it is desired to double the capacity of a machine designedfor a given capacity the strengthof the driving must be substantiallydoubled with corresponding increase in size. Astandard ball bearing ofsize to fit the larger shaft will be of such external diameter as torequire a much larger sleeve than the smaller machine. This again willnecessitate larger thrust bearings and other parts SQtllZLl] finally theentire ma chine has been greatly enlarged. Y One important object of theinvention is t so improve the swash plate arrangement in devices of thischaracter as to eliminate the use of anti-friction bearings between theshaft and sleeve and thereby permit the use of a shaft of any desiredsize Without making necessary any lncrease in the overall d1mensions ofthe machine. y

In the swash plate arrangement of said prior application the pistonscarry balls which rest on the swaslrplate adjacent its periphery. As theswashrplate is oscillated these bearing balls ride inand out of theswash plate to a certain degree because the balls are held by thepistons to move in a straight line whilethe swash plate peripherydescribes an equatorial zone of a sphere.

This travel of the balls, even though it is slight in each case,aggregates to anextent producing considerable friction and heat.

A second important object of the invention is to improve the connectionbetween the swash plate and the pistons actuated thereby that allslidingfri'ction will be eliminated and thus there will be substantiallyno generation of heat at these points.

Devices ofthis kind are generally made to pump or compress atcertainfixed rate, the cylinders each having a definite capacity forthat purpose. In order to provide pumps or compressors of differentcapacities it has been customary to vary the dimensions throughout. Thatis, if the areas of the cylinders are tobe increased the diameter of theentire machine would be increased as well asthe diameter of the driveshaft.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a novelconstruction of devices ofthischaracter wherein, by minor changes indetails, the capacity of the machine may be made to suit the use towhich it is desired to be put. 7 r

In devices of this character, as well as in many other mechanisms in thenature of pumps or engines, it isusually desirable to arrange thepartsin as compact a manner as possible. Inmulticylinder devices it isusual to employ an intake or supply manifold and an outlet or exhaustmanifold so that single supply and exhaust pipes may be connected to theseveral cylinders.

A fourth important object of theinvention is to provide a novel'manifoldarrangement wherein the exhaust and supply manifolds are arrangedto'form a single unit thus rendering the mechanism compact.

' Also to the end of obtaining compactness a fifth important object ofthe invention is to provide a novel valve arrangement for use inconnection with such a manifold whereby a single valve element serves toplace the several cylinders succesively in communi-' with the exhaustmanifold. V

lVith the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafterapparent,the'invention consistsin general ofcerta n novel de tails ofconstruction and combinations of.

parts hereinafter fully described,illustratedin the accompanyingdrawings and speciiically claimed.

several views, and:'

Figure 1 1s a View of the tudinal axis of the device.

Figure 1. c

Figure 3 1s a showingone end only of. a pump especially in thismodification; r 1 V Figure, 6 is an edge v ew, partly in section adaptedfor the pumping of liquidsj Figure 4c is ahalf end view of'this modi;fication. r V 1 a v Figure 51s a face View of a valve plate used fromthe intake side of Figure 5,. v

Figure 7 is avlew similar'toFigure 6 from 4 the exhaust side of theplate.

. Figure 8 is a detail view showing the manne'cessary here to be shown.Surroundingthe central, portion of this shaft is a sleeve 11 Which is ofconsiderably greater diameter than the shaft here shown so that, ifdesired, the shaft size may be increased. The sleeve 11 is-arranged withits axis'at an acute angle.

to the shaft. 10. Fixed on the shaft lO at V each end of the sleeve is acam 12. Each cam 12 includes a disc portion and the confronting faces ofthese disc portions are bevelled in planes at right angles to the axisof the sleeve. 1

Each cam 12 has in its bevelled face a recess 13 into which extends arespective end of the sleeve 11. A swash plate. 14: is fixed firmly onthe center of the sleeve 11 and a ball race 15 is forcedion the sleeveon each side of the,

swash plate. Coacting ball races 16 surround the sleeve adjacent itsends and rest on the bevelled surfaces of the cams 12. These races 16are, as is usual, slightly larger than-the sleeve so that the races 16may revolve. freely on the sleeve without friction thereagainst.

The usual balls 17 are provided between the races 15 and 16. It. is tobe noted that the balls and races tend to hold the sleeve in cor-,

' I rect angular relation to the shaft at all times and, the recesses 13are sufficiently large that a slight'clearance exists between the sleeveand, the walls ofsaid recesses under normal improved device itakenlongitudinally thereof and partly: in; 7 section on a. plan passingthrough the longivertical section on the axisof'a modified form of the1nvent1on,fthe view ball bearings will not injuriously affect themechanism since the engagement ofthe sleeve ends in the recesses willprevent any injurious displacement of the sleeve; V

By means of thGqlIlGChZLHlSHl ust described rotation of the. shaft will'set* up a gyratory motion in the 'swash plate while yet permits 7tingthe swash plate toperform such gyratory In the accompanying drawingslike char-f V actors of reference indicate like parts inth T movementwithout rotation on its axis,

* Spaced: from'the respective cams 12 are.

conditions. However, wear or failure ofthe body ends orzheads 18eachhaving a central hollow cylindrical bearing bossl9 wherein is mounted aball bearing 20 supporting the shaft 10, Each of these hearing bosseshas its outer end closed by a cap plate 21.

A series of hollow cylinder bosses 22 are ends toward each other {andthe bosses on one end being axially alined with'respect to the bosses onthe other end so that they form pairs with-the bosses of each pair onopposite sides of the swash plate 14." Each of these bosses is made ofsufficientfdiameter to suit the largest machine within desired limitsand in;the proximal ends of .thejbosses are --l1ners 23-which form thecylinders proper.

Theseliners are preferably pressfittedinto the bosses and the internaldiameters of the liners aremade to suit the capacity for which theparticular machine is designed. Thus by I simple variation in theinternal liner diameter the capacity of the machine may be varied correspondingly. .Slidably mounted in each linor is a hollow piston 24,the'open ends of these pistonsfacing the swash plate. Inthe open spacedaround the periphery of each end 18,

.thesle' bosses extending from the respective end of each piston isscrewed'a plug 25 having 7 a socket orrecess 26 for the reception ofapin or piston rod .27. This pin or rod has eachend rounded and one ofthe rounded endsis seated against the inner end of the socket while theother end projects from the socket and engages the swash plate, thelatter being provided with a shallow seat or depression: 28 to receivesuch end as best shown in Figure 8. The sockets 26 are of slightlygreater diameter than the diameter of the pins .orrods 27 so that thelatter may oscillate to a sufficient extent to maintain the swash plateends of the pins in their seats.

By this means no lineal movement of the pins 7 on the swash plate withthe accompanying friction can take place. Moreover, it was observed inmachinesconstructed in accordance with. the aforesaid prior patent thatthe swash plate oscillated about its axis over a considerable are duringthe running of the machine but it wasalso, found that this oscillatorymotionrequired but little force for its prevention, the mere grasping'of the edge of theplate between the thumb and forefinger beingsufiicient to arrest all-motion of this character; Consequently, theseating of the pins or rod-s27 in-shallow seats: in the swash its ventsuch oscillation andthe attendant frictional wear and heating. In orderto maintain thepins orvrocls in proper engagement with the swash plateeach plug isprovided at its projectingen'd with an annular groove 1 andin these. grooves areseated the ends of p spring clips which arecentrally bowed inwardly both to provide means forholding theclips frommoving from proper positions by engagement withjhe edge of the swashplate and toimprove the resilient action of the clips. Each of theseclips holds the ends tie bolts 31 andare surrounded by a casing of analined pair of the pistons in proper spaced relation so that asone"piston moves into its cylinder the other moves out.

The two heads or ends are connected by 32 which has a sump or oilreservoir portion. 33. An oilpump is provided at 34 of the usualcylinder and plunger type, the plunger projecting from the cylinder torestagalnst f I the machine.

ures 1 and 2 is especially adapted for use as the swash plate and bethere held by a spring 35. This pump. receives oil through a pipe 36leading from'the sump 33 and delivers oil through a pipe 37 to the upperpart of the machine, the oil. dripping fromthe pipe 37 onto theoperating parts in the middle of The form of the invention shown inFiga'compressor of gaseous fluids suchas air. 7 In this form there isfitted into the outer endof each cylinder boss a valve cage or plug 36.

Anintake passage or port 37 extends through this cage and is provided atits inner end with a seat for the reception of an inwardly openingspring pressed check or inlet valve i 38. Also the cage is provided witha second passage 39 therethrough having an outwardly facing valve seatatits inner end and prohead has a wall 43 connecting the bosses 19together and to the boss 22 parallel to the end 18 and the bosses 19 areconnected to each other by short walls 44 one of which is tapped as at45 forconnection of a delivery pipe.

This wall arrangement forms a' receiving chamber 46 communicating withthe channels 41 "by ports .47.

Surrounding each group or set of cylinder bosses is arib 48 andradiatingfins 49 extending longitudinally of the outer half of eachcylinder from the outer orvalve end thereof to said rib. A cylindricalhood or housing 50 is fitted over these ribs being seated on bosses 51.Theedge of this hood i is spaced fromv the rib 48. The hood 50 isprovided with ports 52 in its end and dust filters 53 are arranged tocover the ports 52.

A fan 54. is fixed on theshaft within each hood.

In this form of the invention as the shaft rotates the fans draw airthrough the filters into the supply chambers producing a slight pressurein these chambers. As the swash plate gyrates each piston .24 isreciprocated and in its movement of protraction from its cylinder draws.air into'the cylinder through the passage 37. As the piston is pushedback intoits cylinder the air in the cylinder is compressed and drivenout through the passage 39, branch 40,.groove 41 and port 47 into thereceiving chamber 46. Any excess air from the supply chambers flows downalong the ribs 49 and thus carries off the heat and keeps thecylinderscool.

In the form of the inventionshown in Figures 3 to .7. inclusive thearrangement is particularly adapted" for-pumping liquids. In

. this arrangement the valve'cages are omitted and the outer or headends of the cylinders are left open being covered by an annular rim 55forming part of a rotary valve having its hub 56 fixed on the shaft 10so that the valve revolvesas theshaft is rotated. One semi-circularsegment of the rim 55 constitutes the inlet side while the othersemi-circular segment constitutes the outlet side. 7 In the outer faceof the inlet side there is provided an annular channel 57 and extendingfrom this channel is a series of inlet ports 58 adapted to successivelyregister with the open ends of the cylinders and :opening through theinner face of the rim. The outlet side of the rim is provided on itsinner face with an arcuate channel 59 from whence ports 60 open outthrough the peripheral edge of the rim. An annular member 61 is rabbetedat 62 to receive the rim 55, the member 61 covering the outer face andperipheral edge of the rim.. The member 61 is thus provided with aplane: inner face confronting the outer face of the rim and with acylindrical face confronting the peripheral edge of the rim. In theplane inner face is provided an inlet channel 63 extending entirelyaround the member 61 and is tapped as at 64 to provide means whereby asupply or suction pipe may be connected to the member 61 to communicatewith the channel 63. An

annular outlet channel 65 is formed in the cylindrical face of themember 61 and the member is tapped as at 66 to provide means forconnection of an outlet pipe communieating with the channel 65. Packing67 is provided where needed. The channel 63 and channel 57 areconst-antly in registry and the ports 60 open constantly into thechannel 65.

In this form the parts are so arranged that during the retraction of anypiston the ports 5S'are successively brought into registry with thecylinder end so that fluid flows into the cylinder.. As the pistonreaches the. end of its stroke the lastofthe ports58 move out thepurpose specified.

of registry and immediately thereafter the channel 59 moves intoregistry with the'cylinder end' so that the retractiveinovement of thepiston forces the fluid out of th'ecylinder and through the ports 60into thechannel from whence it flows out throughthc deliv:

ery; pipe. .The inemberfil thus constitutes a'combined intake andexhaust manifold.

"It is to be observed that not only may the cylindercapacitiesbe variedas will by the employment of proper liners but the capacity of thesecylinders may alsoibe' varied by changing the stroke of the pistons.This is readily done by changing the cam members 12, members withgreaterthrow or angularity offace'being provided to increase-the strokeand with less throw or angularity to provide shorter stroke. T 7

It is also .to be noted that whilethe present device hasjbeen shown asapumpyet the action will be reversed if fluid is'supplied to thecylinders under pressureandthe exhaust side of the mechanism opened forfree exhaust so that the mechanism may be used as B an engine." In otherwords, by means of this I mechanism rotary motion may be changed toreciprocating motion orreciprocating motion may be changed to rotarymotion. It is therefore to be understood that wherever cylinders arementioned in the claims appended hereto these cylinders are to beunderstood as either pump or englne cylinders according to the use towhich the device is put. Als0,it is to he understood that, when used asan engine 5 the device will be connected to a suitable source of supplyof fluid under pressure such as a steam boiler, so that the pistons willbe caused to reciprocate by the action of this fluid under pressure andthereby reciproca tory movement will be converted into rotary movement.

There has thus been provided a simple and efficient deviceof thekinddescribed and for It is obvious that minor changes may be made inthe form and construction of the invention without departing from themate rial spirit thereof. It is. not, therefore, desiredto confine'theinvention to'the exact 61 form herein shown and described, but it isranged toeffectgyratorymovement of the swash plate without rotating theplate, cylinders arranged in series on a-circle concene 1 3 L1 1. L trioWlbll the shaft, plstonsln said cylinders,

and'piston rods eachengaged at one end with a piston for freeoscillatorymovement with respect .to the piston and having its other end engagingtheswash plate, the last mentioned 7 end of the piston being rounded andthe swash plate havin a V shallow recess in rounded'end is received.

2 In a'swash plate apparatus, a shaft, a swash platehaving acentralopenin'g through which'saidshaft passes, said opening being ofgreater diameter than the shaft to permitrotation of the shaftindependently ofthe swash plate, an operative mechanism connecting theshaft a'nd'swash plate and arranged to effect, gyratory movement of theswash plate without rotating the plate, cylinders arranged in series ona circle concentric with the shaft,pistons insaid cylinders, 'rodsockwhich said ets mounted in the ends of the-pistons adjacent the swashplate, each of said sockets having'a rodseat confronting the swash plate7 and the swash plate having shallow depression' confronting the pistonsand forming other rod seats, and rods having, rounded ends and eachhaving one end seated ina'.

respective first mentioned rod seat and its other end seatingin thecorresponding shallow depression.

3. Ina swash plate apparatus, a shaft, a swash plate having a centralopening through which shaft passes,fsaid opening being of greaterdiameter thanthe shaft to permit; rotation of the'shaftindependently ofthe swash plate, an operative mechanism connecting the shaft and swashplate and arranged to effectgyratory movement of the swash plate withoutrotating the plate, cylinders arranged inrseries on a circle concentricwith the shaft, pistonsin said cylinders','means connecting each pistonwith a respective pointon the swash plate and maintainingcontact withthe plate at the same point throughout the gyratory movement of theplate, end members wherein said shaft 7 is journalled, hollow cylinderbosses carried by said end members and having the cylinders fitted inthe ends against the swash plate, and valvelcagesprovided with inlet andoutlet valves mounted in said bosses at the ends remote fromthe swashplate.

4:. Ina swash plate apparatus, a shaft,a swash platehaving a centralopening through which said shaftpasses, said opening being of greaterdiameter than the shaft topermit rotation. of the shaft independently ofthe swash plate, an operative mechanism connecting the shaft and swashplate and arranged to effect :gyr'atory movement of the swash platewithout rotating the plate, cylinders arranged 1n series on a circleconcentric with the shaft, pistons in. said cylinders, means connectingeach piston with'a'resp'ective'point on the swash plate and maintainingcontact with the plate at the same point throughout the gyratorymovement of the plate, end

p swash plate, an operative mechanism connecthollow cylinder bossescarried by said end members and having the cylinders fitted in the endsagainst the swash plate, valve cages provided with inlet and outletvalves mounted in said bosses at i the ends remote from the swash plate,hoods each mounted on a respective end member and having a ported airthrough said filteringmeans, and heat radiating fins carried by saidcylinder bosses and arranged in the path of air from the fan.

5; In a swash plate apparatus, a shaft, a swash plate having a centralopening through which said shaft passes, said opening being of greaterdiameter than the shaft to permit rotation of the shaft independently ofthe i ing the shaft and swash plate and arranged.

to effect gyratory movement of the swash plate without rotating theplate, cylinders arranged inseries on a circle concentric with theshaft, pistons in said cylinders, means connecting each piston with arespective point p on the swash plate and maintaining contact swashplate withoutrotating the plate, cyl

with the plate atthe same point throughout the gyratory movement of theplate, hollow end members forming air receiving chambers and each havinga central bearing wherein said shaft is journalled, hollow cylinderbosses carried by said end membersand each having a lateral portcommunicating with a respectivechamber, said cylinders being fitted intothe ends of the bosses adjacent the swash plate, and valve cages eachfitted in the remainingend ofa cylinder boss and having a peripheralgroove wherewith the port of the boss registers, said cage beingprovided with valved inlet and outlet passages, each outlet passageopening into the groove of the respective cage,

6. In a swash plate apparatus, a shaft,,a swash plate having a centralopeningthrough which said shaft passes, said opening being of greaterdiameter than the shaft to permit rotation of the shaft independently ofthe swash plate, an operative mechanism connecting the shaft and swashplate and arranged to efi'ect gyratory movement of the inders arrangedin series on a circle concentric with the shaft, pistons in saidcylinders, means connecting each piston with a respective point on theswash plate and maintaining contact with the plate at the same pointthroughout the gyratory movement of the plate, hollow end membersforming air receiving chambers and each having a central bearing whereinsaid shaft is journalled, hollow cylinder bosses carried by said endmembers and each having a lateral port communicating with a respectivechamber, said cylinders being fitted into the ends of the bossesadjacent the swash plate, valve cages each fitted in the remaining endof a cylinder boss and having a peripheral groove wherewith the port ofthe boss registers, said 3 cage being provided with valved inlet andoutlet passages, each outlet passage opening into the groove of therespective cage, hoods each mounted on a respective end member andhaving a ported end closure spaced from the end member, air filteringmeans covering the ports in the end closure, fans each mounted on saidshaft in a respective hood and arranged to draw air through saidfiltering means, and heat radiating fins carried by said cylinder bossesand arranged in the path of air from the fan.

'7. In a swash plate apparatus, a circular series of cylinders, a hollowend member forming an air receiving chamber and supporting saidcylinders, each of said cylinders having port communication with saidchamher, and a valve cage for each cylinder fitted in the cylinder andhaving a peripheral groove registering with the port of the respectivecylinder, said cage being provided with a valved inlet passageext-ending therethrough and with a valved outlet passage communicatingwith the groove.

8. In a swash plate apparatus, a circular series of cylinders, a hollowend member forming an air receiving chamber and supporting saidcylinders, each of said cylinders having port communication with saidchamber, a valve cage for each cylinder fitted in the cylinder andhaving a peripheral groove registering with the port of the respectivecylinder, said cage being provided with a valved inlet passage extendingtherethrough and with a valved outlet passage communieating with thegroove, a hood mounted on .said end member and covering the valved PARLO. ECKEI IS.

